Utilities

ELECTRICITY

Power is available at the intersection of Alamosa County Road 2 South and Alamosa County Road south 112. Xcel Energy provides power in this area. They have an office in Alamosa and you can get definitive information from them by calling (719) 589-1204. There a many areas without power in Costilla County which makes it ideal for SOLAR, WIND, and GENERATORS. It costs about $4/ft to bring power to a property. Usually, a step-down transformer that converts the 6900 volt incoming power to 120/240v is needed, at a cost of about $1200.

TELEPHONE

Telephone service to the area is provided by Blanca Telephone located in Alamosa. They provide excellent cellular service in the entire area and also have land lines available. They also have internet and there are several other places in Alamosa that will hook you up to internet. Blanca Telephone has land line connectors in most of the SLVR Area, and do a up to 700' installation for under $100. They charge about $0.50 per foot for longer distances.

Alternatative Power

About half the people in the non-incorporated areas of Costilla and Alamosa Counties rely on alternate systems. They usually have one to four solar panels, one or more wind generators, a 12-v to 120v converter and a battery pack as a power source and that is usually backed up by a 1000-w- 5000w gasoline generator.

Wood - Many people have wood stoves and use wood as their main heating fuel. There are regular "Wood fests" scheduled several times each year, where people go up into private forests and cut down dead trees for firewood, and they are charged $10 per pick-up load.

Propane Power

Propane - Propane is used for gas cooking, baking and heating. Neighbors will have a 200-500 gallon propane tank with propane delivered to them on a regular basis by several reliable local vendors.

Refrigerators and freezers: Full size propane refrigerators and freezers are available from Servel and other manufactures and they usually cost between $200 to $300 more than the same size electric model. They have a long life, are quite efficient, and actually cost less to operate, than similar electric models.

A starter power system ( good for 120-watts for 4 hours) costs about $1,500. This is enough to run a 13" TV/VCR, a couple of 14 watt florescent bulbs, to recharge cell phones and lap tops, and to provide a control voltage to the propane refrigerator.

A medium system, ( 1500 watt-hours) professionally installed, with the solar panels on sturdy racks, pointing in the best southerly direction, will cost about $10,000.

A full size system, that allows microwave, vacuum cleaners, large electric motors, etc can cost $20,000+

Most people that use alternate systems like not getting utility bills, other than propane.

Internet- Satellite Service

Wild Blue is now being used.

Hughes Internet, formerly Direcway is a option.

Blanca Telephone Company - Internet (Modem & DSL)

WELLS and SEPTIC

The neighbors use wells that are not more than 100 feet down, but every lot is different. Wells in this area typically are 100-300 deep and cost $20 to $30 per foot. A submersible pump with discharge line and electrical hook-up can add another $1000. Many vacation homes use hauled water, in lieu of a well. A 1000 gallon tank , buried with a 12-v pump will typically cost $1000. Water haulers will deliver up to 1000 gallons for $40. A 1000 gallon septic tank, delivered and placed into a hole runs $600. Connection piping and perforated distribution piping will cost about $400. Excavation and backfill can add another $400. A permit is required and a percolation test, that costs $250. All together, a septic system will cost from $1600-$2400.